Trading in framing lumber was nil, as buyers and sellers first awaited the preliminary determination in the countervailing duty case and then spent the rest of the week discerning its impact. Canadian producers and their customers were in a standoff. Trading at mills in the U.S. was slow, but generally more liquid. While Canadian mills’ first inclination to the CVD announcement was to raise prices, buyers took the opposite tack, noting that producers had sold little, if any, volume for May shipment.
This Week Apr 28 |
Last Week Apr 21 |
Year Ago 2016 |
|
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $435 | $437 | $350 |
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 404 | 410 | 298 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 490 | 489 | 385 |
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 395 | 395 | 327 |
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 495 | 502 | 427 |
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 425 | 425 | 380 |
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 665 | 655 | 695 |
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel trading faded. OSB prices flattened at four-year highs across North America, and mill sales slowed to a crawl. With reported prices of 7/16-inch topping $300 in all producing regions, mills were content to hold to their quotes. The sales pace of recent weeks tapered off for many Southern Pine plywood mills amid buyer uncertainty about the market’s near-term direction. Western Fir plywood trading was steady, but slower than the previous week. Buyers stepped in only to cover basic necessities.
(f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Apr 28 |
Last Week Apr 21 |
Year Ago 2016 |
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $426 | $426 | $358 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 387-410 | 385-410 | 355-375 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 392-415 | 390-415 | 358-377 |
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 441 | 441 | 343 |
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 333 | 333 | 250 |
*Weighted average of 11 key items |